A Delhi court has listed the land-for-job case linked to alleged Railway appointments in exchange for land for trial and ordered day-to-day recording of prosecution evidence from March 9. The case involves former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, his family members and other accused, with charges already framed under corruption and conspiracy laws.
The Rouse Avenue Court on Thursday listed the Land for Job case being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for trial and directed that prosecution evidence be recorded from March 9 on a day-to-day basis.
The case relates to allegations that Railway Group-D jobs were given to certain candidates in exchange for land during the tenure of former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav.
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The court also granted liberty to Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav and Tej Pratap Yadav to appear physically before the court between February 1 and February 25 for the formal framing of charges. The court directed that they must give one day prior notice to the CBI before appearing in person.
On Thursday, these accused persons had sought exemption from physical appearance before the court.
Meanwhile, Misa Bharti and Hema Yadav appeared physically before the court and denied the charges framed against them.
Special Judge (MP-MLA) Vishal Gogne thereafter listed the matter for recording of prosecution evidence after the formal framing of charges against the remaining accused persons.
Earlier, on January 9, the court had ordered the framing of charges against former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, Tejashwi Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav, Misa Bharti and other accused persons in the land-for-job scam case.
While framing the charges, the court observed,
“Lalu Prasad Yadav and family acted as a syndicate.”
The court also discharged 52 accused persons, including Chief Personnel Officers (CPOs) and Railway officials. During the course of proceedings, five accused persons passed away. In total, the CBI had charge-sheeted 103 accused persons in the case.
The court framed charges under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act for conspiracy and cheating, along with other relevant offences.
While framing the charges, the court further stated that it found, on the basis of suspicion, that there existed a larger conspiracy involving Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family members.
The Special Judge noted, “Chargesheet strongly depicts the acquisition of the land in lieu of a job,” while observing that the materials on record pointed towards an alleged quid pro quo arrangement.
The court further observed that, on the touchstone of suspicion, there was material to show an overarching conspiracy on the part of Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family members.
The CBI had charge-sheeted 103 persons as accused in the case, out of which five have died during the proceedings, while 52 accused persons have already been discharged.
The investigating agency filed charge sheets against former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, Misa Bharti, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, Hema Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav and other accused persons.
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Special Public Prosecutor D P Singh submitted before the court that there was sufficient material available on record to frame charges against the accused persons.
During the course of arguments, senior advocate Maninder Singh, appearing for Lalu Prasad Yadav, argued that the land-for-job case was politically motivated and that there was no evidence to show that Railway jobs were given in exchange for land.
He submitted that sale deeds on record clearly showed that land was purchased by paying proper consideration and not obtained illegally.
The senior advocate argued that there was no violation of any Railway rule in the appointments and that no jobs were given in return for land.
It was also argued that former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav never made any recommendation for any candidate and that no Railway General Manager had stated that he ever met Lalu Prasad Yadav in connection with these appointments.
The senior counsel further argued that no offence of corruption was made out against Lalu Prasad Yadav as he did not recommend any candidate and merely calling him a kingpin was not enough. He contended that there was no direct evidence against him.
It was also argued that there was no evidence to suggest that any land was taken without compensation, as the land in question was purchased by paying money.
Earlier, during arguments on behalf of Rabri Devi, it was submitted that she had purchased land by paying proper consideration and that buying land for money does not amount to any criminal offence.
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The defence also argued that no favour was shown to any candidate and that the land transactions had no connection with Railway job appointments.
The senior advocate submitted that the CBI must prove the offence of corruption and that the land sold was purchased through lawful consideration.
He further argued that all due processes were followed by the accused persons and questioned the prosecution by asking where the alleged corrupt practice was. He maintained that the acts relied upon by the CBI were independent in nature and not connected with each other.
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